The Department of Early Childhood, Special Education, & Counselor Education offers a Master of Science degree in the Teacher Preparation Program in Visual Impairments. The program uses a hybrid course delivery model including both face-to-face and online courses. Face-to-face courses occur on weekends and in the summer at either the Kentucky School for the Blind (KSB) in Louisville or at the University of Kentucky in Lexington.
A Teacher of the Visually Impaired (TVI) educates children in a variety of learning and instructional topics including: assessing and evaluating educational strengths and needs including functional vision and learning media assessments; determining appropriate services and instructional goals; and providing training in the use of adapted materials and devices. A TVI also provides direct instruction in the expanded core curriculum which includes compensatory academic skills, career exploration, sensory efficiency skills, social skills, assistive technology, recreation and leisure activities, self-determination skills, and independent living skills.
The University of Kentucky has the distinction of offering the only program to train teachers of the visually impaired in Kentucky.
This degree does not necessarily lead to teacher certification. Candidates should contact the program’s Director of Graduate Studies (DGS) about additional teacher certification requirements. Information is also available on the program website at: https://education.uky.edu/edsrc-programs/teacher-prep-visual-impairments/
Admission Requirements
Applicants must have completed a bachelor’s degree in any field with a minimum of 2.75 overall or 3.0 GPA in the last 30 credit hours to apply.
Applications must include the following:
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Personal Statement (1-2 pages on why you want to be a TVI)
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Official transcripts from all previous universities or colleges
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Three (3) completed reference forms or letters
Degree Requirements
33 credit hours with an overall GPA of 3.0
Successful completion of field experience(s)
Satisfactory demonstration of all program standards
Program website: https://education.uky.edu/edsrc-programs/teacher-prep-visual-impairments/
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